Uh, that's a pretty big assumption. Maybe before invoking thinking molecules you should let them study the change in angular bond forces across temperature gradients a little more...
I don't see the difference between your explanation and mine. ; )
Actually I wonder why they seem amazed that water molecules would deform when taken to almost absolute zero. At absolute zero, the molecule would cease to exist so it deforming just prior to snapping out of existence seems logical.